JBL enters Dolby Atmos space with Airplay 2-ready, wireless soundbar

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JBL Bar 9.1
Speaker company JBL week announced this week the JBL Bar 9.1, a new soundbar with AirPlay 2 support.
Photo: JBL


CES 2020
JBL used CES this week to introduce an AirPlay 2-ready soundbar with Dolby Atmos support and a unique take on wireless rear speakers.

Instead of cables running through the room or wireless speakers plugged into the wall for power, the JBL Bar 9.1 uses wireless, battery-powered rear speakers.

The two speakers have a 10-hour charge life and can be topped-up by being plugged into the main soundbar unit. Both the soundbar and rear speakers include upward-firing drivers that bounce sound from above. The system packs four upward-facing Dolby Atmos drivers to bounce sound around the room.

A 10-inch powered subwoofer completes the system, with 820 watts.

Content can be streaming to the soundbar either through Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, or Google Chromecast. In addition to Dolby Atmos, the bar also supports Dolby Vision HDR, standard.

The JBL Bar 9.1 will be available starting in the spring for $999.95 in the U.S.

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